Top 5 Healthy Dog Treats Every Pet Owner Should Try

Posted by Lindsay Kustich on

DOG TREAT GUIDE

Best Healthy Dog Treats to Feed Your Pup

Treats should do more than make your dog happy. The best dog treats fit your pup’s size, chewing style, routine, and wellness needs without relying on unnecessary fillers or table scraps.


Healthy Rewards Natural Chews Picky Eater Friendly

When you are gazing into adorable puppy eyes, it can be hard to resist giving your dog a treat. The key is choosing treats that reward your dog without working against their daily health routine.


Some treats are packed with unnecessary calories, sugars, fillers, artificial colors, or ingredients that may not agree with your dog’s stomach. Others are better suited for training, chewing, enrichment, picky eaters, or simple everyday rewards.

The healthiest treat is not the same for every dog. Your dog’s size, age, activity level, chewing habits, allergies, digestion, and weight all matter. For more nutrition basics, read our guide to the 6 basic nutritional requirements your dog needs.


What Makes a Dog Treat Healthy?

A healthy dog treat should be easy to understand, appropriate for your dog, and used in moderation. Treats should support your routine, not replace complete meals.

Look For Why It Matters Best For
Simple ingredients Easier to understand what your dog is eating. Everyday treating.
Size-appropriate texture Helps match the treat to your dog’s chewing style. Puppies, seniors, strong chewers, and small dogs.
Moderate portions Even healthy treats add calories. Weight management and daily routines.

Simple rule: use treats as extras, not meal replacements. Your dog’s main nutrition should come from a complete and balanced diet.


1. Sweet Potato Dog Treats

Sweet potato treats are a great option for dog parents looking for a plant-based snack that feels simple, familiar, and easy to use. They can be especially helpful when you want an alternative to greasy table scraps or heavily processed snacks.

Sweet potatoes naturally contain fiber and nutrients, but they should still be given in moderation. Avoid giving dogs sweet potato dishes made with sugar, butter, marshmallows, seasoning, or added salt.

Brutus and Barnaby sweet potato dog treats
Gentle Everyday Treat

Sweet Potato Slices

A simple plant-based treat option for dogs who love a naturally chewy snack.

  • Simple everyday snack
  • Great for gentle treating
  • Easy alternative to table scraps
Shop Sweet Potato Treats

2. Bully Sticks

Bully sticks are a popular choice for dogs who need a satisfying chew. They can help keep dogs busy, offer chewing enrichment, and give your pup an appropriate outlet instead of shoes, furniture, or household items.

Because bully sticks are chews, supervision matters. Choose the right size for your dog, remove small end pieces, and make sure your dog has fresh water available during chew time.

Brutus and Barnaby bully sticks for dogs
Long Chew Time

Natural Bully Sticks

A satisfying chew option for dogs who need enrichment, focus, and a healthy outlet for chewing energy.

  • Long chew time
  • Keeps dogs busy
  • Great for supervised enrichment
Shop Bully Sticks

3. Pig Ears

Pig ears are a classic dog chew because they are flavorful, crunchy, and satisfying. They can be a good option for dogs who enjoy chewing but do not need the longest-lasting chew every time.

As with any chew, pig ears should be given under supervision. They are treats, not meals, so use them in moderation and choose the right size for your dog.

Brutus and Barnaby pig ears for dogs
Crunchy Chew Favorite

Pig Ears for Dogs

A crunchy, flavorful chew that gives dogs a satisfying snack experience.

  • Dogs love the crunch
  • Great for supervised treat time
  • Natural chew texture
Shop Pig Ears

4. Beef Liver Dog Food Topper

Some dogs are picky at mealtime. Others get bored with the same bowl every day. A simple topper can help make your dog’s regular food more exciting without turning every meal into table scraps.

Beef liver is naturally flavorful, which makes it useful for picky eaters. Because liver is rich, it should be used as a topper or treat in appropriate amounts rather than overfed.

Brutus and Barnaby beef liver dog food topper
Picky Eater Support

Beef Liver Dog Food Topper

A flavorful topper that helps make regular meals more exciting for picky dogs.

  • Great for picky eaters
  • Easy to sprinkle over meals
  • Helpful for daily feeding routines
Shop Beef Liver Topper

5. Omega-3 Soft Chews

Omega-3 soft chews are often used by dog parents who want to support skin, coat, and everyday wellness. Soft chews can be especially helpful for dogs who prefer a treat-style format or have trouble with harder chews.

Because omega-3 products are closer to supplements than ordinary snacks, follow serving directions carefully and ask your veterinarian before using them for a medical issue, sensitive stomach, pancreatitis risk, medication interactions, or diagnosed health condition.

Skin & Coat Routine

Omega-3 Soft Chews

A soft chew option for dog parents looking to support skin, coat, and daily wellness routines.

  • Supports skin and coat routines
  • Soft chew format
  • Easy daily serving option
Shop Omega-3 Chews

How to Choose the Best Treat for Your Dog

The best healthy dog treat depends on what you need the treat to do. Training treats, chew treats, toppers, and soft chews all fit different routines.

Goal Best Treat Type Good Option
Keep dogs busy Longer-lasting chew Bully sticks or pig ears.
Reward gently Simple plant-based snack Sweet potato treats.
Help picky eaters Meal topper Beef liver topper.
Daily wellness support Soft chew supplement-style treat Omega-3 soft chews, with vet guidance when needed.

Treat tip: introduce one new treat at a time, watch your dog’s stool and appetite, and reduce meal portions slightly if treats add meaningful calories.

Frequently Asked Questions

QWhat are the healthiest dog treats?
The healthiest dog treats are simple, size-appropriate, easy to portion, and matched to your dog’s needs. Sweet potato treats, natural chews, training treats, and meal toppers can all fit different routines.
QAre sweet potatoes good treats for dogs?
Plain sweet potato can be a dog-friendly treat for many dogs when given appropriately and in moderation. Avoid added sugar, butter, salt, marshmallows, or seasoning.
QAre bully sticks healthy for dogs?
Bully sticks can be a satisfying chew option for many dogs, but they should be given under supervision, sized correctly, and used in moderation because they add calories.
QCan treats make my dog gain weight?
Yes. Even healthy treats can contribute to weight gain if given too often or in large amounts. Treats should be counted as part of your dog’s daily calorie intake.
QHow many treats should I give my dog?
The right amount depends on your dog’s size, activity level, weight, food intake, and health. As a general habit, keep treats moderate and ask your vet if your dog needs weight control or a special diet.

Final Takeaway

Healthy dog treats can make both you and your pup feel good. You can reward your dog for training, bonding, enrichment, or simply being your best buddy without relying on table scraps or overly processed snacks.

The best choices are simple, enjoyable, and appropriate for your dog’s routine. Sweet potato treats, bully sticks, pig ears, beef liver topper, and omega-3 soft chews each serve a different purpose — from gentle snacking to chew time, picky eater support, and daily wellness routines.

Find the Right Treat for Your Pup

Explore natural treats, chews, and toppers made for training, enrichment, picky eaters, and everyday rewards.

Shop Treats & Chews
```
Important Notice
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute veterinary, medical, nutritional, supplement, diet, or product-use advice. Always consult your veterinarian before changing your dog’s diet, adding supplements, using omega-3 products, introducing new treats or chews, or changing treat amounts, especially if your dog is a puppy, senior, pregnant, overweight, underweight, has allergies, digestive issues, pancreatitis risk, kidney disease, diabetes, heart disease, dental disease, or any diagnosed medical condition. Treats and Brutus & Barnaby products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition. Always supervise your dog with any chew or treat, choose the right size and texture for your dog, introduce new items gradually, and provide fresh water.